Kitten with heart problem and can't be neutered... And is spraying everywhere!!

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I got a male Russian blue kitten around three months ago, and found out soon thereafter that he has a congenital heart defect. He is on heart meds currently, and shows no external symptoms as of the moment, but the vet indicated that he would probably only live for a few years. It's been tough coming to terms with that, but on top of it all, since anesthesia often times has negative consequences for cats with heart problems, the vet said that it would not be a safe idea to get him neutered.

He is currently seven months old, and a few weeks ago began to spray... On everything! He uses his litter box about once a day, and the rest of the time he sprays all over the house. My poor sofa, rugs, and blankets stink terribly, and I'm basically cleaning something every single day.

I don't know what to do. I love him to bits, but I'm stressed out coming home from work and having to use a UV light every day to find out where he peed that day.

Is there any way to reduce this at all? I'm getting desperate, but the only solution I can seem to find it neutering!

Also, I live in Japan, and it doesn't appear that cat attract litter products are sold here either......

That's a tough one. Do you actually see him standing up to spray? blankets don't usually get soiled from spraying unless it's hanging. I know spraying is the obvious answer but it's sounds like these things need to be squatted on to soil. If it's actual spraying, Just thinking out loud....I know they have chemical castration for humans don't they have that option for cats where you can give a hormone pill. I would think breeders would want to have access to this when they want a break from breeding.....maybe I'm thinking too outside the box.

kfallsover said:

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I got a male Russian blue kitten around three months ago, and found out soon thereafter that he has a congenital heart defect. He is on heart meds currently, and shows no external symptoms as of the moment, but the vet indicated that he would probably only live for a few years. It's been tough coming to terms with that, but on top of it all, since anesthesia often times has negative consequences for cats with heart problems, the vet said that it would not be a safe idea to get him neutered.

He is currently seven months old, and a few weeks ago began to spray... On everything! He uses his litter box about once a day, and the rest of the time he sprays all over the house. My poor sofa, rugs, and blankets stink terribly, and I'm basically cleaning something every single day.

I don't know what to do. I love him to bits, but I'm stressed out coming home from work and having to use a UV light every day to find out where he peed that day.

Is there any way to reduce this at all? I'm getting desperate, but the only solution I can seem to find it neutering!

Also, I live in Japan, and it doesn't appear that cat attract litter products are sold here either......

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This is a bit of a tough situation to be in. They do have special anesthetics that are used for older animals, I'm not sure if that would be an option for you or not. They have inhaled anesthesia as well, so if there were any complications they could bring him out of it, quickly and it wouldn't take much time at all once he was unconnected from it. It is a bit expensive here in America but it might be worthwhile looking for it and seeing if its an option. Also if you had a specialist do it, it would be better. Here is a link I found regarding heart issues and spaying, even though I know he's a male but it easier on males, them being neutered than it is on females due to the actual procedure. http://www.drjeffnichol.com/?p=2273

I don't really have anything else to advise. I'm very sorry about your kitty, being this way. I did once lose a cat under surgery for spay. Its tough, at the end though, you have to decide what's best for you both. By any chance, can you keep him in a room without carpets while you're at work? it'll help keep some of the work of the mess off.

Spraying is a territorial thing, you might try Feli-way, its a diffuser or collar and its sold on amazon. Its meant to calm them and help keep them from doing it as often. You are using an enzymatic cleaner right? Specifically for pet and urine stains, as cat urine is strong smelling and even if you can't smell it, the cat will and he'll return to mark it again.

@kfallsover   I'm wondering whether you could get another opinion?  I have a RB boy with a severely compromised spine and ribcage that makes breathing a little difficult, and was a lot worse when he was younger. 

At that time I wanted to get him neutered.  My local vet wouldn't do it, but a specialised cat clinic would.  They used an inhaled anaesthetic that they said is often used for cats with heart conditions.  It was very expensive at the time, but may not be now, or where you are.  It may be worth asking around.

And thank you for looking after this boy.. even if his life is shorter than most, he'll be loved.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm bringing him in again this weekend to have the vet listen to his murmur and get him more meds, and I'm going to ask about alternative options. The last time I was in, I couldn't pursue the neutering topic since we were more focused on getting him on meds and stuff.

As a note, I think he is both peeing and spraying, as both horizontal and vertical surfaces are now getting nice coats. And he has begun to yowl, which I understand can be related to sexual maturity ... I'm hoping we can find an option because it's getting completely out of hand ....

Ahh, and yes to the cleaner. My place smells like an unfortunate mix of cat pee and the extreme floral scent of Nature's Miracle. I've gone through 3/4s of a bottle in a week. I live in a studio apartment, so I can't close anything off either :/

kfallsover said:

Ahh, and yes to the cleaner. My place smells like an unfortunate mix of cat pee and the extreme floral scent of Nature's Miracle. I've gone through 3/4s of a bottle in a week. I live in a studio apartment, so I can't close anything off either :/

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That's a pity about not being able to close off anything and also the odor of cat urine. I go through about 4 bottles a month. At Dollar Tree, they sell My Pet's Friend Urine Odor remover, it has a cleaner smell to it but it takes out the urine smell better than anything I have tried. Its only a $1 as well.  It's sold in a green spray bottle in the pet aisle of the store. I'll see if I can pull up a link of exactly what it looks like. I had bought a bottle and tested it out a nasty patch of urine soaked cream colored carpet and an area rug. It worked great! No smell of cat urine plus for the price, I stock up. I had my doubts but was figured I might as well try it for the price.

Also with the yowling, you must be very careful he doesn't try to escape from your house, make sure all windows, even screened ones, are kept closed unless you are there to watch him, even then be careful. I wouldn't want him to get out and hurt or worse. I know its not fun to have a cat spraying but I am hoping you'll be able to get him fixed or calmed down a bit. You're a kind person to keep him with all his issues.